Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ International Journa...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Article . 2020
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
https://dx.doi.org/10.48741/mu...
Other literature type . 2021
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
https://dx.doi.org/10.48741/mu...
Other literature type . 2021
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 4 versions
addClaim

Engineering Education and soft skills in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa

Authors: Kehdinga George Fomunyam;

Engineering Education and soft skills in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is impacting engineering education (EE) in diverse with several changes from the effects of the previous three industrial revolutions. Remarkable industrialization has been recorded in the fourth industrial revolution. However, certain skill gaps has been identified missing in engineering courses and curriculum as employers seek skills development aligned with the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). This paper was guided by Lifelong Learning Theory which explain that the paradigm shift from the first three industrial revolutions to 4IR has led to EE transformation of acquiring not only technical skills but also soft skills. This has led to critical EE curriculum review to extrapolate its impacts of soft skills on 4IR emerging workforce. This paper takes a broad look at the EE and soft skills in the era of 4IR in Africa, while examining the EE in previous revolutions and, exploring the impacts and implications of soft skills on EE. The possibilities of adequate investments in EE and soft skills programmes becomes an imperative to address skill gaps and prepare engineering graduate students for future work. The importance of soft skills, values, and improvement of soft skills in engineering education in 4IR era are discussed among others. Thus, to address soft skills gaps in EE, industrial cooperation and educational partnership is significant to centre on EE curriculum future-oriented skills development to consolidate with 4IR workforce demands. A number of policy recommendations for 4IR compatibility with EE polices are made.

Related Organizations
Keywords

Mechanical Engineering, Africa, Curriculum, Engineering education, Soft skills, Lifelong, FOS: Mechanical engineering

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    2
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    OpenAIRE UsageCounts
    Usage byUsageCounts
    visibility views 5
    download downloads 8
  • 5
    views
    8
    downloads
    Powered byOpenAIRE UsageCounts
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
visibility
download
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
views
OpenAIRE UsageCountsViews provided by UsageCounts
downloads
OpenAIRE UsageCountsDownloads provided by UsageCounts
2
Average
Average
Average
5
8
Green
gold